Love's True Measure by Lori Dejong is an upbeat contemporary romance that drew me right into Shannon and Hunter's world. Although Shannon is sweet and cheerful, there's a depth to her that only comes from past struggles. Readers cannot help but root for Hunter who works so hard and does his best to care for his sister, Brylie. Adding to that is a cast of friends who surround them all with prayers and acceptance--friends who share their own stories of faith in the middle of difficult situations. The characters are well drawn, and the plot feels like real world living.

Angel from the East by Barbara A. Curtis isn't a typical Western bride romance. In fact, the heroine, Liza Roberts, has no plans to stay on the ranch she inherited. She only plans to stay a few days before continuing her journey to teach in California. Conditions at the ranch change her plans, and a mystery challenges her opinions of people connected with the ranch, Caleb Morgan in particular. Though Caleb is drawn to Liza, he can't convince her he's not the villain she thinks. One secondary character, Gus, almost "steals the show" with his cunning antics.

A Midsummer Romance by Alyssa Schwarz will bring back high school memories of Shakespeare's play, A Midsummer Night's Dream, which serves as backdrop for the budding romance between Jess Daniels and Caleb Weaver. As longtime friends, both refuse to believe their relationship could advance to something deeper, even as others try to convince them. Cast as main characters in the town's performance of the Shakespeare comedy, each is  forced to see the other in a different light, but the return of Caleb's former fiancee could short-circuit Jess's dream of a permanent place in his life.  

Etta Lures the Lumberjack by Marisa Masterson focuses on a married couple living apart. Etta Larsen has learned to take care of herself since her husband of two decades abandoned her. Erik sometimes sends money from his work as a lumberjack, but then Etta is told he drowned in an accident. She refuses to accept it, especially when a young orphan shows up and says Erik sent her to Etta. Questions abound: How can she care for a child without sufficient income? Why doesn't Erik return? What compelled him to leave in the first place? To get those answers, she will have to search deeper than Erik would like.